Thursday January 15, 2015 Vol. 2, No. 45
The Weekly Post
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Billtown OKs part of a summer building project By BILL KNIGHT
WILLIAMSFIELD – A proposed summer building upgrade to the school’s existing heating and cooling system, roof, office consolidation and STEM Center, and new entrance was outlined Monday for the Board of Education, which expressed misgivings with the proposal and a lack of alternatives. Vice President Bobby Trask said he’d prefer concentrating on the roof, and Member Gina O’Dell said she’s like to see more options, and the Board subsequently voted to proceed with Superintendent Tim Farquer assembling a budget for most of the work, eliminating For The Weekly Post
Embattled teacher Banks submits resignation WILLIAMSFIELD – The popular English teacher defended by dozens of students and teachers at a special Board of Education meeting last month resigned this week. “The Board formally accepted the separation agreement submitted by Ann Banks,” said Williamsfield
the renovated entrance. District architect Bill Phillips explained that the planned entrance, with a new turnabout and vestibule would be safer, reduce the amount and speed of traffic, increase security and visibility, and cre-
Peoria Co. eyes waste management
Superintendent Tim Farquer, who declined to detail the situation after a closed session, which reportedly resulted in a split vote. Although Banks didn’t appear at the Dec. 23 meeting, she sent an open letter referring to “innuendo and half truths. Continued on Page 9
ate a more efficient pick-up and drop-off procedures.. “It would create an entrance that’s very prominent,” Phillips said. However, the board unanimously voted to delay that and prioritize the rest.
Proposed improvements to the Williamsfield school roof and heating and cooling system are planned for this summer. The school board voted to delay a proposed new entrance, above.
The District has a $50,000 school maintenance grant from the state to use in the endeavor, and could earmark
LEGISLATIVE AIDE
Knox County’s facilities sales tax – the “penny tax” – as a funding mechanism, Farquer Continued on Page 9
Commission OKs Dollar General move
By BILL KNIGHT
By MICHELLE SHERMAN
A proposed 20-year plan for resource management, recycling and solid waste from Peoria County’s Recycling & Resource Conservation Department has scheduled two public meetings Wednesday (Jan. 21), at 10 a.m. in the Peoria Public Library on NE Monroe, and at 3 p.m. at the Dunlap Public Library. Officials hope to explain the concept and get feedback from citizens. The comprehensive draft of the plan draws on four principles – partnering with local municipalities, provide single-stream curbside recycling to all residents, selling recycled commodities, and instituting performancebased contracts to control collection costs – and features input from a 20member advisory committee and interests of various stakeholders. Besides diverting recyclable and recoverable materials from dumping in the City/County Landfill – which would make Peoria County’s plan one
FARMINGTON – Farmington moved one step closer to a stand-alone Dollar General on Thursday (Jan. 8), as the Farmington Planning Commission approved a rezoning recommendation. The decision next goes to the Farmington City Council, which is expected to vote on the measure at its meeting on Monday (Jan. 19). Dollar General, which currently rents space on the west end of the County Market complex, is looking to build a 9,100-square-foot building on West Fort Street. The $1.5-million project is estimated to bring 200 customer visits per business day. Three homes currently located on the lots are slated for relocation, though their final location is unknown. Thursday’s hearing was a continuation from Dec. 11, during which members of the planning commission and the public raised several questions that Gary Davis of The Farnsworth Group – the firm working with Dollar General For The Weekly Post
For The Weekly Post
Continued on Page 11
Carolyn Dean (left) talks with then Gov. Jim Edgar in this 1997 photo as he signs legislation about genetic testing. Photo courtesy of Carolyn Dean.
Dean spurred genetic legislation By CHERYL HARLOW
ELMWOOD – Carolyn Dean, an Elmwood resident, turned a potentially tragic situation into a triumph. Dean beat the odds and survived ovarian cancer in her 50s and in the process spurred the passing of a genetic testing confidentiality bill in Illinois in For The Weekly Post
1997. Carolyn and her husband Donald have two daughters and were concerned about their future health. She learned there was a DNA test (BRCA1) to see if she carried the gene that predisposed her to developing ovarian cancer. Continued on Page 2
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